Overland-Abenteuer Patagonien & Feuerland

1. Tag: Santiago

Welcome to Santiago, the cosmopolitan Chilean capital! There will be an important group meeting at 6:00pm at the joining hotel - please look out at the hotel reception for a note from your leader with more details about this important meeting.

Please note that many of the options listed below will only be possible for those with extra time in Santiago before the start of your trip with us - please contact our Sales team if you would like to book pre-tour accommodation with us to have extra time exploring Santiago.

In Santiago we will stay in a centrally-located hostel.

Optional Activities:
- Learn more about Santiago and its history on a free walking tour of the centre from a knowledgeable local guide: Free
- Take in the breathtaking vista of the city skyline backdropped by the mighty Andes, from the viewpoints at Cerro San Cristobal or Cerro San Lucia: Free
- Discover all of Santiago's sights on a hop-on/hop-off bus around the city: CLP 21000

About Santiago:
Chile's capital is a large, modern city with a very European atmosphere. In the centre of the city, wide tree-lined boulevards lead to pleasant plazas and leafy parks, and on a clear day the snow-cappedpeaks of the Andes provide a magnificent backdrop to the Santiago skyline. Much of the centre is pedestrianised, which together with the widestreets and efficient metro system make Santiago an easy city to explore on foot. There are plenty of interesting museums where you can learn more about Chilean history and culture, from the City of Santiago Museum which chronicles the city’s history, to the Natural History Museum and Museum of Pre-Colombian Art. The city's many wonderful parks are also worth a visit, particularly O'Higgins and San Cristóbal which offers great views of the city from Cerro San Lucia. As you would expect from a capital city of this size, Santiago is full of busy bars and restaurants and has some lively nightlife to offer. For cheap eats full of local flavour, head to the Mercado Central which is packed full of food stalls and simple cafes and restaurants. For a real treat, you might want to head out to one of the more upmarket neighbourhoods like Bellavista or Providencia, home to some reallyworld-class restaurants and great bars. Barrio Brasil is also worth a look; this old neighbourhood attracts an arty and bohemian crowd and there are often interesting events going on here.If you have the time, there's also plenty to do in the area surroundingthe city. Santiago is right in the middle of Chile's wine producing region, so it is relatively straight forward to arrange full day or half day tours out to the local wineries. You may also be interested in visiting the seaside town of Valparaíso, which can be visited as a day trip from Santiago

2. Tag: Santiago - San Javier - Buchupureo

Today we will leave the bright lights of Santiago behind and head to San Javier, to take a wine tour at one of the famous vineyards of the region. After lunch, we will head to the laid back farming village of Buchupureo, on the Chilean coast, where we can relax by the beach for a couple of hours.

Tonight we will camp in a well equipped campsite.

Enthaltene Aktivitäten:
Weintour und -verkostung

3-4. Tag: Pucón

This morning we will continue our drive into the Chilean Lake District to the town of Pucon.

Tomorrow we will have a free day in Pucón to enjoy a range of optional activities, such as a sunrise expedition to climb the Villarica volcano which looms over Pucón, heading out horse riding through the surrounding forests, or an evening visit to the nearby natural hot springs.

In Pucon we will stay in a comfortable hostel.

Optional Activities:
- Trek up to the summit of the snowcapped volcano Mount Villarica - CLP 85000
- Relax in the soothing waters of the Pozones natural hot springs - CLP 10000
- Learn all about Pucón and the history of its people on a free walking tour of the town - Free
- Explore the spectacular Lake District near Pucón by mountain bike - CLP 10000
- Head on an exciting white-water rafting trip on the rapids of the Trancura River near Pucón - CLP 25000
- Take part in a fantastic canyoning expedition through the gorges of the Chilean Lake District near Pucón - CLP 25000

About Pucón:
Southern Chile's lake district boasts some lake and mountain scenery comparable with what the Swiss Alps or New Zealand have to offer! Beautiful deep blue lakes are flanked by majestic forest-clad mountains with snowy peaks to provide picture-postcard views and a perfect spot for walking and camping.The attractive small town of Pucón is located at the heart of the Chilean lakes, a great place to stop for a few days so you can explore the area and get involved in some of the many adventure activities on offer here. At certain times of year it's even possible to do a day climb of the nearby Villarrica volcano - a challenging trek, but one that anyone who is reasonably fit should be able to manage - and you're rewarded with some fantastic views of the surrounding area from the summit. The whole area is great for trekking and there are plenty of options to do some fantastic self-guided walks. Alternatively Pucón offers great horse riding, white-water rafting and mountain-biking opportunities. For those who would prefer to relax, there are also some great thermal springs nearby - the natural pools at Pozones are located in a beautiful setting and area great place to go and soak your weary limbs in the evening!

5. Tag: Pucón - Bariloche

Today we cross the Andes into Argentina and continue our journey to the picturesque town of Bariloche via the scenic Ruta de los Siete Lagos (Seven Lakes Route).

In Bariloche we stay in a comfortable hostel in the town.

About Bariloche:
The Argentinian resort town of Bariloche has a picture-perfect setting on the shores of Nahuel Huapi Lake, flanked by the peaks of the surrounding Andean mountains.The scenery here is truly stunning, soit's a magical place to explore and take in all the amazing views. In winter, the town is a popular centre for skiing and in summer the focus shifts to walking, mountain-biking, horse-riding and kayaking and canoeing on the lakes - and if all that sounds too much like hard work, you can sit back and enjoy the view on a leisurely boat trip across toVictoria Island. Bariloche itself is also an interesting place to wander around. The townis famous for its handmade chocolates, and there are some really spectacular displays in the local chocolate shops. Because of its popularity with Argentinians as well as international tourists, the town has a lively bar and restaurant scene with some great places to choose from. This is a particularly good place to sample some world-class Argentinian steak, and wild boar and Patagonian lamb is also worth atry here too!

6. Tag: Bariloche

Today will be a free day to enjoy the beautiful mountain town of Bariloche and the stunning surrounding lakes, mountains and forests. We have the options to explore the area by foot, mountain bike, kayak or boat.

Optional Activities:
- Discover the incredible scenery of the Nauhel Huapi Lake and the Victoria Islands on a boat trip from Bariloche - ARS 1200
- Hire mountain bikes to explore the forests and hills surrounding Lake Nauhel Huapi and Bariloche - ARS 420
- Visit the interesting Fenoglio Chocolate Museum in Bariloche, and learn all about the town's tradition of chocolate making - ARS 50
- Explore the nearby Lago Gutierrez and take in its amazing views from the water on a half-day tandem kayaking trip - ARS 550
- Explore the best viewpoints around Bariloche and some of the locals' favourite spots, such as the summit of Cerro Campanario, the beautiful beach of Playa Bonita, and the delightful waterfalls of Los Duendes - Free

7. Tag: Bariloche - Futaleufú

Today we cross back into Chile and drive to the rafting mecca of Futaleufú. From this point we will join the famous Carretera Austral, probably one of the most stunning roads in South America, surrounded in gorgeous mountain and forest scenery. Please note that the road from here to El Chaltén is rough and mostly unpaved meaning that the going is slow. In Futaleufú we stay in a local campsite

About Futaleufú:
Futaleufú is a serene frontier town in the northern part of Chilean Patagonia - its name comes from the swirling river that passes by the town, which means "Big River" in the Mapuche language. The town is becoming increasingly popular with travellers through Patagonia due to its wonderful scenery and outdoor activities in the area.

8. Tag: Carretera Austral / Puyuhuapi & Queulat Nationalpark

Today we will leave Futaleufú and drive through the Chilean fjords to Queluat National Park. If time allows there is an optional walk to see the incredible hanging Glacier.
Tonight we will camp in a basic campsite with facilities.

About Carretera Austral:
The Carretera Austral (meaning Southern Highway) is a fantastic route that passes between Puerto Montt and Coyhaique, through vast tracts of untouched wilderness, past soaring snow-capped mountains, glaciers, glass-green fjords and staggering, beautiful valleys. This is Chile at its best and is a perfect area to explore by overland vehicle, driving through magnificent scenery in this area of outstanding natural beauty.

About Puyuhuapi and Queulat National Park:
Puyuhuapi is a small village in Chilean Patagonia along the Carretera Austral, and is the gateway to the Queulat National Park. The National Park is dominated by the Patagonian Andes, and it covers a large section of the Puyuhuapi Volcanic Group south of Lake Risopatrón. There are two small ice fields in the National Park with glaciers of up to12km long, including the centrepiece Queulat Hanging Glacier, which spills out over the edge of a cliff and has a waterfall of melt-waterpouring from its base. The park is also full of temperate rainforest comprising mainly of Coihue and Tepa trees, and has a large variety of birds such as the Magellanic woodpecker.

9. Tag: Cerro Castillo National Reserve

Today we drive south through the magnificent Chilean scenery to the beautiful area of Cerro Castillo National Reserve.
In Cerro Castillo we will camp in a lovely family-run campsite with basic facilities, where we will enjoy a Chilean BBQ.

About Cerro Castillo National Reserve:
The Cerro Castillo National Reserve is a nature reserve near the southern section of the Carretera Austral, famous for its rugged landscapes centred around the photogenic rocky mountain of Cerro Castillo. There are abundant Lenga tree forests and several mammals in the area such as South Andean deer and guanacos, and birds including Austral parakeets and Andean condors.

Enthaltene Aktivitäten:
Traditionelles chilenisches BBQ

10. Tag: Cerro Castillo National Reserve

Today we have a free day to hike to the stunning turquoise waters of Laguna Cerro Castillo or to go horse riding. We camp in the same campsite.

Optional Activities:
- Hike to the stunning Laguna Cerro Castillo - Free
- Explore the beautiful mountain scenery of Cerro Castillo on a horse riding trip - CLP 16000

11. Tag: Argentinian Patagonia

Today we will cross into Argentina's Patagonia region and continue our journey south along the famous Ruta 40 (Route 40). Tonight we will wild camp somewhere in the Rio Pinturas area.

About Argentinian Patagonia:
Patagonia is the name of the region in the far south of South America, the southernmost stretch of the Andes and the surrounding plains and plateaus. The area is split down the middle by the Andes, with Chilean Patagonia on the west, and Argentinian Patagonia on the east. Renowned for its desolate landscapes, unrelenting winds and magnificent lake, mountain and glacial scenery, the name Patagonia comes from the word "Patagon", used by the explorer Magellan to describe the local people who he believed to be giants. Today historians believe that the Patagons were actually Teheulches, with an average height of about 1.8m as opposed to the average height of a Spaniard at the time of 1.55m! Argentinian Patagonia includes the spectacular national parks of Los Glaciares, Nahuel Huapi and Tierra del Fuego, home to the Perito Moreno Glacier, the Argentinian Lake District and the Fitz Roy range.

12. Tag: El Chalten

Today we will drive into the heart of the Patagonia region and reach the tiny town of El Chaltén, situated in Los Glaciares National Park and famous for its incredible mountains, glaciers and world-class trekking opportunities. In El Chaltén we stay in dorm beds in a hostel.

About El Chaltén:
El Chaltén is small remote Patagonian town nestled under the shadow of the iconic Mt. Fitz Roy. The town itself has an interesting origin - the area was disputed between Argentina and Chile for a number of years, so the Argentinians thought they would settle the argument by hastily building the town of El Chaltén in 1985 to claim the territory! The name of Chaltén comes from the Tehuelche word for 'smoky mountain', so called as the early morning clouds gathering around Fitz Roy look remarkably like volcanic smoke. It is a fantastic base from which to explore the northern sections of the incredible Los Glaciares National Park, and is home to many adventure tour operators offering outdoor activities in the area.

13. Tag: El Chaltén / Los Glaciares Nationalpark

Enjoy the stunning Los Glaciares National Park and the incredible scenery of the nearby Mt. Fitz Roy. There are lots of trekking opportunities here, as well as boat trips, horse riding, and mountain biking

Optional Activity:
- Freely explore and trek around the walking trails of Los Glaciares National Park, taking in the marvellous vistas of the Fitz Roy mountain range - Free
- Enjoy a spectacular kayaking trip down the Río de las Vueltas, taking in some incredible views of the surrounding mountains - USD 125
- Head on a rock-climbing course in the magnificent landscapes surrounding El Chaltén - USD 90

About Los Glaciares National Park:
Los Glaciares National Park is the largest protected area in Argentina, covering a huge area of Argentinian Patagonia along the southern tail of the Andes range. The National Park is home to some of the most spectacular scenery in all of South America. This is classic picture-book Patagonia, and wherever you turn you're surrounded by wide open skies, magnificent mountains, incredible glaciers, glistening lakes and thick verdant forest. By far the best way to explore is to get out on foot - there are plenty of well-established trails through the mountains and forests of theNational Park that are easy to explore independently with a map, so you can plan many treks around the area from around two hours to anentire challenging day out. As well as the phenomenal needle-like Cerro Torre, the iconic mountain of Fitz Roy looms over our base of El Chaltén, an impossibly-picturesque and steep mountain (which is also the logo for the 'Patagonia' clothing brand!) which can be viewed from many angles on treks in the area. Other activities can include boat trips and ice climbing on the incredible Videma Glacier, a visit to the serene Lago del Desierto, and horse-riding excursions through the incredible landscapes.

14. Tag: El Chalten - El Calafate

Today we have a short drive to El Calafate, the gateway to the Perito Moreno Glacier.
In El Calafate we stay in dorm beds in a lovely hostel.

About El Calafate:
El Calafate is a small town on the southern shore of Lago Argentino in Patagonia. Originally a sheep station and trading outpost, today the town has developed a bustling atmosphere and an ever-growing tourist trade. Interestingly the town takes its name from the Calafate berry, and locals claim that if you eat one of these and make a wish, you are guaranteed to return to Patagonia. Most people base themselves here to visit the nearby Perito Moreno Glacier, located a short distance away at the southern reaches of the Los Glaciares National Park - the glacier is one of the most famousand spectacular glaciers to be seen anywhere in the world. The Perito Moreno Glacier is approximately 30 km long from where it spills out of the Southern Patagonia Ice Field, and 5 km wide at its terminus, whereit has a iceface that is on average 170m high (with about 70m of which is above the surface of the lake). Visitors can view the glacier from an incredible viewpoint only a few hundred metres away from its face, where if you're lucky you'll see some of the ice face carve off into the lake under the pressure of all the ice behind it! It is also possible totake a boat trip to get extremely close, or embark on a challenging ice-climbing expedition on the glacier itself.

15. Tag: El Calafate / Perito Moreno Glacier

Today we will head out on an included full day guided visit to view the stunning Perito Moreno Glacier, one of the most spectacular sights in Patagonia.

Optional Activities:
- Boat trip beneath the Perito Moreno Glacier - ARS 800
- Learn all about glaciers at the fantastic modern Glaciarium Museum in El Calafate, and visit its cool ice bar in the basement! - ARS 300

Enthaltene Aktivitäten:
Geführter Ausflug zum Perito Moreno Gletscher

16. Tag: Torres del Paine Nationalpark

Today we will drive to the world-famous Torres del Paine National Park. This is one of the most outstanding areas of natural beauty in the world and the main highlight of the trip for many of our passengers and leaders!

Tonight we will camp at Camping Pehoe, a stunning campsite inside the National Park with incredible views of Los Cuernos mountains, which we will refer to as our 'base campsite'.

About Torres Del Paine National Park:
Torres del Paine National Park contains what is undoubtedly some of the most spectacular mountain scenery in the world. Rising up high above the Patagonian steppe are the three impressive granite towers that give the park its name, surrounded by high plateaus and towering mountain peaks, the most famous of which are Los Cuernos and Paine Grande.The park is a magical natural wonderland full of deep lakes, sparkling glaciers and cascading waterfalls, and it is also an important habitat for a wide variety of wildlife including guanacos, pumas, flamingos and condors. The best way to explore the National Park is definitely to get out on foot - the regionis criss-crossed by a good network of trails, making it possible for you to see all the main sights either by doing a series ofday hikes or embarking on a multi-day walk such as the famous W-walk, stopping off at the park's refugios or camping along the way. Horseriding and kayaking can also be arranged locally, and boats andcatamarans offer trips across Lago Grey and Lago Pehoé in season.

Enthaltene Aktivitäten:
4-tägiger Aufenthalt zur Erkundung und Wanderung auf dem W-Trek im Torres del Paine Nationalpark

17. Tag: Torres del Paine Nationalpark

Embark on the full W-Walk with a local guide. Places at the campsites are limited by the National Park, so we book them in advance of your trip. We will be trekking the W-Walk from West to East, to enjoy the spectacular views. This morning we will wake early and transfer by truck for the morning Catamaran at approximately, to cross Lago Pehoe. We will then set up camp at Paine Grande, before continuing on our hike towards Glacier Grey.

You can choose to hike to the first look out to enjoy views of the Glacier (approx 4hrs round trip) or to continue to the second look (approx 8 hours round trip)!! Both walks return by the same route.

18. Tag: Torres del Paine Nationalpark

Today we depart from our camp at Paine Grande and hike into the stunning French Valley. In the afternoon, we will make our way to Camp Cuernos.

19. Tag: Torres del Paine Nationalpark

Today we have a slightly easier day, we will hike from Camping Cuernos along the edge of Lago Nodenskjold, around Almirante Nieto and stay just outside Valley Ascencio. We will arrive an Camp Central after approximately 5 hours hiking.

20. Tag: Torres del Paine Nationalpark

This is our final day of the W-Walk and the most spectacular. The day begins with a steady climb from our camp site up Rio Asencio. Be prepared for the final hour which is a relatively steep scramble up to the Tarn and Mirrador Las Torres, affording great views of the iconic Towers. We will transfer back to Camping Pehoe, our base camp at the end of the day. Our hike today is approximately 8 hours for the return trip (20 km). We will then spend a second night at Camp Central.

21. Tag: Tierra del Fuego

Today we will have a full day drive south to cross the Magellan Straits over to the island of Tierra del Fuego.
Tonight we will wild camp somewhere on the Chilean side of Tierra del Fuego.

About Tierra del Fuego:
Tierra del Fuego (meaning "Land of Fire") is a large island separatedfrom mainland South America by the Magellan Strait. The island gets itsname from the fires of the Selknam tribe that originally lived here,which Magellan and his sailors observed from their boats on their firsttravels through the area - unfortunately the Selknam and Yaghan tribesthat originally inhabited the island are all but extinct due to illnessesbrought in by European settlers that arrived in the 19th Century.Theisland is split in halfwith a straight north-south line between Argentinaand Chile, with the Argentinian half containing the island's largestsettlement, Ushuaia.The island of Tierra del Fuegois Patagonia at its most remote anddesolate, with a landscape of windswept plains, forests andswamplands, home to rheas, condors, buzzard eagles, seals and sealions, all of which thrive in these conditions. On the Chilean half of theisland lies Inútil Bay, a remote bay that is home to the only colony ofKing Penguins that exists outside of Antarctica!

22. Tag: Tierra del Fuego - Ushuaia

Today we cross over to the Argentine side of Tierra del Fuego and drive to the incredible port town of Ushuaia, the southernmost town in the world!
In Ushuaia we stay in a Hotel out of town close to the National Park, there are regular shuttles into the town.

Optional Activities:
- Beagle Channel boat trip (4 hours) - ARS 2040

About Ushuaia:
Ushuaia is a port town that lies at the south of Tierra del Fuego on the Argentinian side - it is often known as "the city at the end of the world", as it is the world's most southern city (the Chilean town of Puerto Williams is slightly further south but is much smaller than Ushuaia). Ushuaia itself is low lying and unassuming, centred around one main street and a waterfront that overlooks the Beagle Channel. Originally Ushuaia was little more than a remote outpost, first colonised by a British-funded mission in the late 1800s and subsequently used by the Argentinian government as a penal colony. What was once a small sleepy town has grown rapidly in recent years, much of which is due to tourist development and particularly to the increasing number of Antarctica trips calling to port here. There's plenty to do in Ushuaia and the surrounding area. The town itself is home to an interesting museum where you can learn more about the history of Ushuaia, Tierra del Fuego and the indigenous people who originally lived here. The surrounding scenery is also impressive, so it's worth getting out on a boat-trip into the Beagle Channel, which will give you some great views of town with the Martial mountain range in the background. You can also explore Tierra del Fuego National Park, another beautiful spot with some spectacular lake and mountain scenery.

23. Tag: Ushuaia / Tierra del Fuego

Today is a free day in the wonderful remote town of Ushuaia, with options such as a visit to the hauntingly beautiful Tierra del Fuego National Park, boat trips to see the scenery and wildlife of the Beagle Channel, or heading out horse riding along the coast for those with more time here.

Today is the end day for passengers finishing their trip in Ushuaia. Please note there is no accommodation included on the trip tonight - please contact us if you would like to arrange some extra nights of accommodation here after your trip.

Optional Activities:
- Take a journey along the Rio Pipo on the 'Train to the End of the World', once built by prisoners at Ushuaia's old penal colony - USD 44
- Learn all about Tierra del Fuego's history and nature at the Museum of the End of the World in Ushuaia - ARS 300
- Head out to the impressive Martial Glacier near Ushuaia, taking in the beautiful scenery of the Darwin Mountains and the Beagle Channel - USD 110
- Explore Tierra del Fuego National Park on a day tour from Ushuaia - ARS 1450